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Brain Surgery Done - Now What?
Sat, 04/23/2011 - 16:21Well...Surgery on my front, left temporal lobe is NOW COMPLETE! Approx. 4 inches was removed. It has been a little over 4 weeks and I am seizure free thus far! I realize this could change, but I thank God for the results. My current healing process is as follows...still very tired. I feel better now than I did right after the surgery. I had surgery on a Thursday and went home on Saturday morning! It's amazing how quick the surgery was completed - approx 4.5hrs. I have had no negative changes in my brain (speech, etc.) that I can notice as of yet (I am still very cautious). Again, this is a blessing and I am very thankful/happy to have this. So, my questions are these...who has had this surgery and what is (are) his/her healing results afterwards - i.e., How long were you tired? Were there any other major side effects? I was told the healing process could take up to 1 yr, but I also spoke with a lady who said her recovery lasted approx 1 month and she was back to driving, etc. I know it will vary from person to person, so I'm just trying to get an idea(s). I really don't want to push myself, but I also don't want to sleep all day. I'm sorry this message has been so scattered, but I write as my brain asks! =0) Thanks for any/all replies! God bless, Peyton
Comments
Re: Brain Surgery Done - Now What?
Submitted by mommy_2boys on Tue, 2011-05-03 - 05:00
Peyton,
Congratulations on your surgery! May God bless you with a quick and FULL recovery. I have to say I admire your courage, as I am in a similar situation, and while the thought of surgery is exciting on one hand, it is very scary on another!
I also have Left Temporal Lobe epilepsy and am 31 years old. While my diagnosis is fairly new and surgery is not an immediate concern/need for me and my family, we are very much interested in learning more about this option and I will be meeting with my neurologist next week to discuss my condition/prognosis further.
I currently live in Hawaii (epilepsy was a result of a surfing accident, in fact) and I definitely will not be having brain surgery done on the island. I saw that you really liked your neurosurgeon. I am curious...where did you have your surgery done, and who was the doctor? I am originally from the Seattle area, but when it comes to brain surgery, my husband is wiling to go pretty much anywhere on the "mainland" for the best possible care. I have read a lot of good things about the Mayo Clinic, but I'm wondering if you or other readers, can give some feedback on other hospitals/doctors to consider as well.
Thanks!
Amy
Peyton,
Congratulations on your surgery! May God bless you with a quick and FULL recovery. I have to say I admire your courage, as I am in a similar situation, and while the thought of surgery is exciting on one hand, it is very scary on another!
I also have Left Temporal Lobe epilepsy and am 31 years old. While my diagnosis is fairly new and surgery is not an immediate concern/need for me and my family, we are very much interested in learning more about this option and I will be meeting with my neurologist next week to discuss my condition/prognosis further.
I currently live in Hawaii (epilepsy was a result of a surfing accident, in fact) and I definitely will not be having brain surgery done on the island. I saw that you really liked your neurosurgeon. I am curious...where did you have your surgery done, and who was the doctor? I am originally from the Seattle area, but when it comes to brain surgery, my husband is wiling to go pretty much anywhere on the "mainland" for the best possible care. I have read a lot of good things about the Mayo Clinic, but I'm wondering if you or other readers, can give some feedback on other hospitals/doctors to consider as well.
Thanks!
Amy
Re: Brain Surgery Done - Now What?
Submitted by peytonwelch on Fri, 2011-05-06 - 16:05
Thanks for the kind reply Amy and all prayer is greatly appreciated. It took me about 2 years of constant seizures before considering to have surgery. It was a scary proccess, but the more I studied, the more I found out that the national statistic of this surgery is very good re: no more seizures or a decrease in them (around 85%). According to my main seizure doc, the man who did my surgery (Dr. Adametz) had 100% success rate. However, let me state this, Dr. Adametz does not do a lot of brain surgeries in this area, as there are not a lot of requests for this in AR and his speciality is spinal work. But, as I said before, he is also successful at the brain work he does and I would reccomend him. His office number is 501-225-0880. Since you live out of state, it may be worth a phone call with questions if you are interested. I had my brain surgery done on a Thursday and went home on Saturday morning. It's amazing that such an important surgery could have such a quick turn-around. However, my doc's say the the actual healing process can take up to 2 years. Just let me know of any other questions yoou have and I'll try to help. There are a lot of amazing seizre docs out there, so it may be worth post a simple question on this website like : did you have.....surgery? What was the result? Would you reccomend your doctor? If so, are you willing to provide his/her info?" Well, those are my thoughts for now. Have a great weekend! Peyton
Thanks for the kind reply Amy and all prayer is greatly appreciated. It took me about 2 years of constant seizures before considering to have surgery. It was a scary proccess, but the more I studied, the more I found out that the national statistic of this surgery is very good re: no more seizures or a decrease in them (around 85%). According to my main seizure doc, the man who did my surgery (Dr. Adametz) had 100% success rate. However, let me state this, Dr. Adametz does not do a lot of brain surgeries in this area, as there are not a lot of requests for this in AR and his speciality is spinal work. But, as I said before, he is also successful at the brain work he does and I would reccomend him. His office number is 501-225-0880. Since you live out of state, it may be worth a phone call with questions if you are interested. I had my brain surgery done on a Thursday and went home on Saturday morning. It's amazing that such an important surgery could have such a quick turn-around. However, my doc's say the the actual healing process can take up to 2 years. Just let me know of any other questions yoou have and I'll try to help. There are a lot of amazing seizre docs out there, so it may be worth post a simple question on this website like : did you have.....surgery? What was the result? Would you reccomend your doctor? If so, are you willing to provide his/her info?" Well, those are my thoughts for now. Have a great weekend! Peyton
Re: Brain Surgery Done - Now What?
Submitted by peytonwelch on Mon, 2011-05-02 - 11:55
Thanks for letting me know about your son. Determining on whether or not to have a majory surgery on your (his) brain is not an easy choice (as you know). I spoke to several different people before deciding to do so (mainly on this website). Based on my research, the national success rate of the brain surgery I had is 85% - patients either stop having seizures OR the amount of seizures greatly reduce (again, based on the surgery I had). My seizure doc had me run several tests of my brain before recommending me to have this surgery done (one of which was the WADA test). Although the national success rate is important, I was more concerned with MY doc's success rate, which was great. Although I think percentages are good, there was no way to know if I would fall into this 85% - or anyone else for that matter. This is where prayer came in. I've not been very good at this lately, but I had a lot of people praying for me and that has made all the difference. My suggestion (and I am no means a doc!) is to find a doc you really like and trust (as much as possible). Assuming you have done this, have as many tests done as possible. Then, the main part, pray for guidance and peace in making the best choice. Based on my expereince, I'm sure your son is VERY scared about all of this and greatly needs all the support possible. Please feel free to ask me any questions and I will do my best to help. In fact, you and/or your son are welcome to call me if you wish. Just let me know and I'll provide you with my number via email. Also, I don't know if I told you, I am 31.
All the best!
Peyton
Thanks for letting me know about your son. Determining on whether or not to have a majory surgery on your (his) brain is not an easy choice (as you know). I spoke to several different people before deciding to do so (mainly on this website). Based on my research, the national success rate of the brain surgery I had is 85% - patients either stop having seizures OR the amount of seizures greatly reduce (again, based on the surgery I had). My seizure doc had me run several tests of my brain before recommending me to have this surgery done (one of which was the WADA test). Although the national success rate is important, I was more concerned with MY doc's success rate, which was great. Although I think percentages are good, there was no way to know if I would fall into this 85% - or anyone else for that matter. This is where prayer came in. I've not been very good at this lately, but I had a lot of people praying for me and that has made all the difference. My suggestion (and I am no means a doc!) is to find a doc you really like and trust (as much as possible). Assuming you have done this, have as many tests done as possible. Then, the main part, pray for guidance and peace in making the best choice. Based on my expereince, I'm sure your son is VERY scared about all of this and greatly needs all the support possible. Please feel free to ask me any questions and I will do my best to help. In fact, you and/or your son are welcome to call me if you wish. Just let me know and I'll provide you with my number via email. Also, I don't know if I told you, I am 31.
All the best!
Peyton